Each evening features a multi-course tasting menu curated by Executive Chef Robin Wickens and guided by the daily harvest from the hotel’s expansive organic kitchen garden in Dunkeld — Australia’s largest working kitchen garden dedicated to a restaurant.
The menu honours the richness of the Grampians in winter — with dishes designed around peak-season produce: slow-grown root vegetables, fragrant brassicas, cool-climate citrus, and bitter herbs. Refined technique and a minimalist hand let the ingredients speak — flavour is drawn out, not dressed up.
On arrival, guests will be welcomed with a Rippon Lea-inspired cocktail or mocktail, setting the tone for an evening of elegance. From there, drinks can be purchased throughout the night, or guests may choose to add on a curated beverage pairing — available in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions — carefully matched to complement each course. This pairing can be selected during the booking process or purchased on the night.
Presented within one of Melbourne’s most iconic heritage estates, this is a rare convergence of grounded regional philosophy and timeless grandeur. Whether you’re a long-time admirer of Wickens’ work or seeking a new kind of dining ritual, this is a singular chance to engage with one of Australia’s most revered culinary institutions—without leaving the city.
What to Expect
– Multi-course tasting menu crafted by Executive Chef Robin Wickens
– Produce harvested from Royal Mail Hotel’s organic kitchen garden
– Rippon Lea-inspired cocktail or mocktail on arrival
– Optional curated wine or non-alcoholic pairings available
– Drinks available for purchase throughout the evening
– Intimate, three-hour dining experience inside the historic ballroom
Menu
Canapés
Mille-feuille – flavour to follow
Brassicas croustade, farmhouse ricotta, cauliflower, caper & raisin purée
Tart of fermented kohlrabi, roasted hemp seed purée, apple & kohlrabi reduction
Amuse
Wild mushroom consommé, pickled shiitake, Jerusalem artichoke & sweet woodruff velouté
Entrée
Cylinder of cylindra beetroot, whipped bone marrow, pickled Silvanberries, beetroot & berry reduction, warmed bone marrow, chervil
Bread
Golden linseed & stout sourdough, whipped cultured brewer’s malt butter
Fish
Pan-roasted blue eye, salsify, black truffle & roasted chicken jus
Duck
Great Ocean Duck, meadowsweet custard, Tasmanian buttered swede, mead
Beef
BBQ beef sirloin, hispi cabbage, roasted onion purée, green manure sauce, bordelaise
Dessert
Acorn & quince mousse, spiced sponge, rotten leaf ice cream
Petit Fours
Jelly baby vegetables (takeaway)
Beverage Menu Pairing Alcoholic $150pp or Non-Alcoholic $75pp
Amuse
2021 Domaine Bart, aligoté, Burgundy ,France
Garden Sauvignon Blanc (Non Alc)
Entrée
2023 Curly Flat ‘white pinot’, pinot noir, Macedon ranges, Australia
Homemade soda (Non Alc)
Fish
2024 Farr Rising, gamay, Geelong, Australia
Garden Pinot Noir (Non Alc)
Duck
2021 Cascina Penna Curado, Nebbiolo, Langhe, Italy
Beef-
2011 Chateau Branaire Ducru, cabernet blend, saint Julien, France
Garden Grenache (Non Alc)
Dessert- acorn and quince mousse, spiced sponge and rotten leaf ice cream
2009 Chateau Doisy Daene, semillon blend, Sauternes, France
Garden Sauterne (Non Alc)
Experience Notes
Menus will reflect the winter harvest and may vary slightly across the series. This is part of Royal Mail’s nature-led approach — every dish is a true expression of the season.
Guests will be seated in the ballroom, with curated ambience and the estate’s architectural charm forming the backdrop to the evening.
Make It a Night to Remember
A celebration of the soil, the season, and the skill of one of Australia’s most admired culinary teams—brought to life in one of Melbourne’s most iconic venues.
Additional Booking Information
- This is a 16+ event due to the structure and format of the multi-course degustation.
- For group bookings of 8 or more, please contact us directly at [email protected] or (03) 9682 1777.
Dietary Requirements
We can cater to most dietary requirements if given advance notice. It is essential that you advise us at the time of booking if you or your guests have any special dietary requirements. We cannot guarantee that dietary requirements can be catered for if not notified 72 hours prior to dining.
Joint Bookings
During the checkout process, there will be a designated area where you can leave comments or additional instructions. Simply mention in that section that you would like to join specific bookings or provide any relevant details.
Changes in Bookings
Any requests for date changes must be made with at least 72 hours’ notice; strictly no exception. Transfer fee applies.
Parking
There is no on-site parking. If you have mobility issues that make offsite parking challenging, please email [email protected] to arrange suitable access. Note that a disability sticker is required. To ensure we can accommodate your request, we recommend providing 72 hours’ notice.
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